What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hoodlum
Example
The police arrested the hoodlum for breaking into the store. [hoodlum: noun]
Example
The neighborhood has been plagued by hoodlums causing trouble at night. [hoodlums: plural noun]
thug
Example
The thug threatened the shopkeeper with a knife to steal money. [thug: noun]
Example
The police arrested several thugs involved in drug trafficking. [thugs: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thug is more commonly used than hoodlum in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hoodlum and thug?
Both hoodlum and thug are informal and have negative connotations. However, thug is more commonly used in various formality levels, including academic and journalistic contexts, while hoodlum is less common and more colloquial.
